"My center Mikie Rhodes got a rebound," said Manzie. "He was doubleteamed and he kicked it out to the top of the key where I was and I took the shot. I just let it fly and it went in."

Manzie's three-ball was a bad omen for the visiting Blue Devils. He would drain three more in the first half on the way to a game-high 17 points as Middletown (5-2) crushed winless Plainville, 91-39.

"We just wanted to play hard, that's all it was," added Rhodes, who poured in 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. "Defense was a big key, and just to connect on our offensive opportunities. [In the paint] it was just a normal night."

Rhodes scored primarily in the paint, joined by his alter-ego Brandon Simmons, who matched him with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The first quarter ended with Middletown up, 23-10, and they stretched the lead to 43-25 at the end of the second frame. Ten of Plainville's second-quarter points came from the free throw line; the Blue Devils could manage only two field goals, but the Dragons piled up 12 first-half fouls, most of them in the second quarter.

Middletown head coach Dave Sytulek had a heart-to heart with his team at halftime.

"I told the kids I wanted them to keep playing hard defense, no matter what the score was," said Sytulek. "I didn't want them to develop bad habits. We had a lot of reachin fouls at the end of the second quarter cause they started getting lazy on defense. I said you gotta stop doing that. You have to play good defense and move your feet."

The Blue Devils responded positively to their coach. Plainville scored seven third-quarter points on two field goals. Middletown committed only four fouls while putting 31 points on the board and sharing the ball generously.

In the late going, Sytulek cleared the bench and the reserves kept the momentum up.

"I was very happy the way they distributed the ball," concluded Sytulek. "There were a lot of unselfish passes. It was good to see all the kids get a chance to play who were hurt in practice and might not get a lot of minutes. It's good to see that. And it's good to see the starters cheering for the guys who came in."

The last word fell to Manzie.

"It feels very good," said Manzie. "We're a good team and we're playing to our potential now. We're playing as a team, doing what we need to do, getting it done on the court."